New scheme launched rating COVID-19 safety measures of businesses in Southwark

14 September 2020

A pilot accreditation scheme assessing COVID-19 safety measures is being launched today (14th September) to promote public confidence in London’s pubs, restaurants, cafes and shops.

Southwark Council has joined up with two London local authorities and their BID partners, to run the scheme, which will support businesses in their reopening and reassure customers that premises are safe to visit.

The initiative is being led by the governing body for the Square Mile, the City of London Corporation,  and piloted alongside the boroughs of Southwark and Camden.

The pilot will be the first scheme of its kind launched by local government.

Currently by law, businesses must already carry out a COVID-19 Risk Assessment.

This pilot will bring in a new independent review by local government Environmental Health Practitioners. They will examine each businesses’ COVID-19 risk assessment and carry out a site visit to look at social distancing measures, customer track and trace, and cleanliness.

Thirty businesses from each local authority area are being invited to participate in the scheme.

Firms in the trial will be given a simple pass or fail by the local authority’s Environmental Health teams.

Those who fail will still have the opportunity to put into place remedial measures as advised by the officers when on site and be re-assessed.

A sticker will be awarded to businesses to display on their premises and the result will be posted on each of the local authority websites.

The pilot scheme will run throughout September and October. If successful, the initiative could be rolled out across London. 

Councillor Peter John, Leader of Southwark Council, said: “Local authorities and businesses’ response to Covid-19 is an evolving situation, and as such, safety can never be completely guaranteed. However, it’s very important that we aim to introduce consistency in how we look at the changing regulations and risk assessments. This new scheme offers that consistent approach and looks at a simple checklist of measures that businesses can carry out, which follow the Government’s guidelines on keeping people safe.”

Page last updated: 14 September 2020